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Workers in Oregon begin the month of June and look forward to summer vacations and outdoor barbecues. This summer, many SEIU Local 503, OPEU members are also engaged in the fight to maintain dignity and respect every day on the job.
On June 10, workers everywhere can celebrate the 24th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act. While today members know it still may not reflect reality, Congress passed this law in 1963 to mandate equal pay for women who perform the same jobs as men. But just like any other law in our great country, members also know it is still up to each of us to stand together to make sure the Equal Pay Act deserves its name and is fairly enforced.
In this issue of President Joe's Journal, Oregon University System (OUS) office workers educate management about their work and demand fair compensation, City of Beaverton members march on City Hall and City of Tigard members celebrate victory with a new three-year contract. SEIU Local 503, OPEU members also celebrate and welcome 2000 Oregon Adult Foster Care providers into our union.
In this issue: OUS Office Workers Speak Out Solidarity in City of Beaverton City of Tigard Members Win Welcome Adult Foster Care
Oregon University System (OUS) members from the seven Oregon campuses came together May 31 to heat things up on the Western Oregon University (WOU) campus in Monmouth and support the Office Workers Selective and Living Wage Project. After a morning bargaining session of negotiations on non-economic issues, office workers stepped up to tell their stories to OUS management.
Office Specialists, Cashiers, Accounting Techs and Office Coordinators took center stage and talked about the diversity and complexity of their job duties. Each member explained how these jobs have evolved and grown over the years. SEIU Local 503, OPEU office workers sent a strong message and demanded that management recognize and value their work. Office workers said, "We believe it's time to earn fair compensation and a living wage."
OUS office workers were eloquent and direct when they told their stories. Here's part of what members told management:
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Nancy Diamond has worked as an OS 1 at Portland State University (PSU) for 23 years. Nancy said, "I like my work and the many people I work with. I am very proud of how I serve the students and the PSU community. But I am made to feel undervalued, discounted and invisible by PSU and OUS. I urge you to think about what the universities would look like, and how it would function without all the staff, especially the Office Specialists, and give them a long overdue pay raise."
Judy Cochran has worked as an OS 2 at Oregon State University (OSU) since 1976. Judy said, "I think the Oregon University System needs to change with the times. They need to look at the class specifications and position descriptions for all office workers and change them to reflect the changes in duties.... It's been seventeen years since any changes have been made to these classifications."
Linda Palmer works as an OS 1 at PSU. Linda said, "I'm sure you are thinking, 'If you don't like the conditions and the pay, find another job.' It's not that easy. We are part of the University. All academic departments, administrative offices and any other departments that exist to educate our children are part of the University. The compassionate individuals working in Higher Education want to see the students excel... We're there for them and we help them find their way. They are the reason we work here."
Lenore Eliassen works as a Recruitments / Budget Coordinator in the Office of Admissions at WOU. She said, "I have worked at WOU for 18 years and have worked under four Deans or Vice Presidents. They are: VP of Administration; VP for Student Affairs; the Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences; and now the Dean of Enrollment Management and Retention." Lenore provided a comprehensive description of the scope of her duties and demonstrated how her work has changed and expanded with new demands and new technologies.
Eileen Mueller has worked at PSU for 20 years. Eileen said, "I don’t know the statistics of employees who work for OUS in positions that are receiving paychecks below what the government considers poverty level. However, I do know that these people are dedicated to their jobs. They are the stronghold of PSU and all other OUS institutions. Without their dedication and support, the faculty and management would not be able to function."
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SEIU Researcher Paul McKenna and Maggie Neel, bargaining team member, Office Specialist and OSU Local President, reviewed a recent study done by OUS managers concerning office workers and their salaries. Not surprisingly, this flawed management study concluded that workers are already "fairly paid" and said office workers are "satisfied" with both their jobs and pay scales. Maggie and Paul poked holes in the study when they pointed out serious statistical errors and explained clearly why management's report was not accurate. OUS members reject the conclusions of management's study.
OUS office workers stood strong together for fairness on May 31. Thursday, June 14 is the next day of statewide action in support of a fair contract for all DAS and OUS members. Mark your calendar and don't forget to wear purple!
Solidarity in City of Beaverton
SEIU Local 503, OPEU City of Beaverton workers rallied at Griffith Park in front of Beaverton City Hall June 4 to send a message to Mayor Rob Drake about current contract negotiations. Following the rally, members from Homecare, DHS, PERS, City of Tigard and other SEIU locals and staff joined City of Beaverton members to picket City Hall and march on City Council. Nearly 200 workers and family members packed the hearing room to tell the Mayor and each City Councillor that it's time to put a fair contract with a fair benefits package on the table.
Beaverton has proposed a 2.38% cost-of-living raise (COLA) which is about 1% less than the cost of inflation. The city also offered to pay for a 2% increase in employee health care costs but says SEIU Local 503, OPEU members in Beaverton should pick up a 45% increase in health care premiums!
Lawrence Arnbrister, building inspector and City of Beaverton Local President, said, "The city’s proposal on healthcare represents a huge take back. Not only does the city want us to pay 45% more in premium costs, they also want to triple our out-of-pocket co-pays for prescription drugs and doctor visits. Members won’t stand for it."
Abuse of temporary workers (temps) is another major problem in Beaverton. City administrators proudly report that the number of City employees per capita has decreased 16%. They don’t mention that they accomplished this reduction in the city workforce by hiring temps with low wages and no benefits to try to keep up with the work.
Lawrence Arnbrister said it best when he told Mayor Drake, "It's time to honor your commitment to provide and support a qualified and highly motivated city work force."
Keep up the fight City of Beaverton! All 40,000 members of SEIU Local 503, OPEU stand with you in your struggle for fairness and respect on the job.
City Of Tigard Members Win
SEIU Local 503, OPEU members at City of Tigard won a huge victory when they settled a new three-year contract May 24. Tigard workers fought for cost-of-living (COLA) raises at least equal to inflation and held out for a fair deal on health care coverage.
Under the settlement, Tigard members won a 3.3% COLA July 1, 2007. For 2008 and 2009, wage increases are tied to the West Coast annual average of the Consumer Price Index with a minimum 2% and maximum 4% raise each year.
Just like every other contract negotiation for SEIU Local 503, OPEU members, Tigard workers had to face the problem of out-of-control health care costs. The City agreed to increase its maximum contribution to health/dental care by 10% each year. Members agreed to pay the difference between the maximum City contribution and the actual cost of the plan beginning August 1, 2007.
The City agreed to complete a compensation study of all bargaining unit positions by June 30, 2008. The City will then begin discussions with members about implementation dates to adjust positions based on study results.
Members won expanded bereavement leave from 3 to 5 days if the employee has to travel more than 200 miles one way; the right to have two bargaining team members from the same department on the negotiating team; the opportunity to review employee performance evaluations at least 24 hours in advance of a review meeting with their supervisor; and elimination of the restriction on only being reimbursed for one pair of boots per year.
Finally, Tigard members stood up against management’s proposed take backs and maintained current vacation and sick leave benefits.
Congratulations City of Tigard members! You won for workers and protected the public services Tigard residents depend on.
eNews Flash
Welcome Adult Foster Care: In May, the Oregon Employment Relations Board (ERB) certified that a 59% majority of Adult Foster Care providers in Oregon want the right to join our union. Following certification, Governor Kulongoski signed an executive order June 1 to grant union recognition and collective bargaining rights for approximately 2000 Adult Foster Care workers. This tremendous victory is another opportunity for members to raise standards for care providers and improve care for Adult Foster Care clients. More than 40,000 Homecare, Childcare, Nursing Home, Private Non-Profit, Local Government, State of Oregon and Higher Ed workers welcome Adult Foster Care members to SEIU Local 503, OPEU. "We are Stronger Together!"
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